Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica).
Photo by Michael Sciortino

The 12 people participating in the bird walk at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve on April 10 had a beautiful, cool spring morning for seeing birds and wildflowers. Led by Joe Coleman, Michael Sciortino, Jane Yocom, and Mike Scott, the group found a total of 40 species of birds.

We couldn’t believe how beautiful and loud the singing Ruby-crowned Kinglets were and were pleased to find a “first of season” and very vocal White-eyed Vireo. We also saw a fast-moving immature Bald Eagle along the Goose Creek whose flight briefly silenced a Louisiana Waterthrush as he flew by.

For a complete list of all the birds observed at Banshee Reeks see the list below or view online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S85223801.

Spring ephemeral wildflowers were up and blooming, including Dutchman’s Breeches, Trout Lilies, lots of Spring Beauties, and masses of Virginia Bluebells especially in the floodplain along the Goose Creek.

Species List:

Photo by Michael Sciortino

Canada Goose 2
Mourning Dove 4
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 2
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 3
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 6
Fish Crow 30
Common Raven 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 4
Tree Swallow 15
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 6
European Starling 7
Brown Thrasher 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
Eastern Bluebird 3
American Robin 2
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 4
Chipping Sparrow 2
Field Sparrow 7
Dark-eyed Junco 4
White-throated Sparrow 20
Song Sparrow 5
Eastern Towhee 6
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 7
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Northern Cardinal 8

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